The Toshiba Countertop Microwave is a versatile appliance that can replace both a microwave and a countertop oven, saving much space. The ability to choose not only to microwave food but also to grill, bake, or use convection cooking provides a level of functionality that’s unusual in a typical microwave. This makes it ideal for smaller kitchens or for anyone who doesn’t want two large countertop appliances.
The digital control panel is easy to read, and the appliance has plenty of presets.
Various accessories (trays, racks, baskets) can be used when broiling, baking, or using the air fryer function, but you’ll need to pay close attention each time to determine which should be used when.
Otherwise, I enjoyed testing the Toshiba Countertop Microwave. Keep reading to see how it compares to our list of the best compact microwaves.
Terri is a freelance writer living in Birmingham, AL. She has tested hundreds of products, including kitchen appliances, vacuums, bedding, furniture, luggage, and tech gear. Terri has bylines at Architectural Digest, Forbes, Popular Science, CNN Underscored, NBC News, The Daily Beast, USA Today, US News & World Report, Tech Radar, Homes & Gardens, and Tom's Guide. Follow her adventures @Territoryone. Terri tested the Toshiba Countertop Microwave on and off for several months, evaluating design, user-friendliness, performance, consistency, and ease of cleaning. She was allowed to keep it for ongoing use.
Toshiba ML2-TC10SAIT: key specs
| Model no: | ML2-TC10SAIT(BS) |
| Input power | 1250W microwave/1000W grill/1800W Convection |
| Output power | 900W |
| Noise | 50dB |
| Dimensions | 11.8 x 20.6 x 16.3in (h x w x d) |
| Weight | 36.8 pounds |
Toshiba ML2-TC10SAIT: Price & Availability
The Toshiba Countertop Microwave is available on Amazon for $399, yet at the time of publication, it’s on sale for $339. It is also available at Walmart for $299. Toshiba’s website provides product information but points readers to Amazon to purchase the microwave.
While $399 is a hefty price for a microwave, it's a good value for a multi-function countertop oven.
Toshiba ML2-TC10SAIT: Setup
I was thankful that the Toshiba Countertop Microwave arrived in good condition. The box had a deep cut on one side from delivery, but fortunately, the contents were unharmed. The microwave was securely packed in Styrofoam, and most of the accessories were packed inside the microwave oven itself.
The contents include the glass turntable, bake tray, air fryer basket, lower wire rack, grill rack, manual, and recipe booklet.
Toshiba ML2-TC10SAIT: Design
The Toshiba Countertop Microwave isn’t small, but it’s not a bulky appliance, making it a viable compact microwave option. It measures 11.8 x 20.6 x 16.3in (h x w x d) and weighs 36.8 pounds. The sleek black and stainless-steel finish blended well with my other black and stainless-steel appliances. There should be a minimum 3-inch clearance on the top, left, and right, along with a 1-inch clearance in the rear.
The digital control panel is on the front right side and is easy to read and operate. There are press buttons for Power, Broil/Bake, Combi, Pro Defrost, Sensor Cook, Kitchen Timer/Clock, and Sound On/Off/Lock. At the bottom of the control panel is a dial for making selections and the Stop/Cancel button.
Toshiba ML2-TC10SAIT: Performance
I was eager to start testing the Toshiba Counter Microwave. I baked Nestle chocolate chip cookies using the broil/convection setting. They were crisp and crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. I baked cookies on several occasions. Sometimes, I used the air fry tray, and sometimes I used the air fry basket. For this function, the tray goes on the lower rack (as opposed to the higher grill rack).
I followed the instructions to preheat the oven to 375°F and bake at that temperature for 13 minutes. The cookies normally bake at 350°F for 13 minutes, but I wanted to see how they would turn out following the instructions for the appliance. The first time, I took the cookies out around 7 or 8 minutes so they wouldn’t burn. Keep in mind that the instructions are guidance and not written in stone. I hovered over the appliances to ensure they didn’t burn.
In my next test, I made Italian meatballs. I chose Convection, set to 400°F (no need to preheat). Then, I put the meatballs in the air fryer tray and placed the tray on the high rack. The meatballs baked for 12 minutes. They were delicious—tender and juicy.
When making chicken breasts, I used the Combination feature (C1), which took approximately 30 minutes. On another occasion, I made chicken thighs and then chicken legs. Each time, they came out well. However, they were greasier than I prefer since I usually cook them in a manner that allows the grease to drip through to a bottom tray—and this was not an option since I needed to place the tray on a rack.
The Toshiba Countertop Microwave also has other features. For example, the sensor cook feature is great for reheating food and also for cooking baked potatoes and pizza. The HomeFry mode has presets for cooking frozen foods (for example, H1 for Frozen French Fries and H4 for Frozen chicken wings).
There are also other features that you would expect in a microwave. For example, I popped popcorn (Orville Redenbacher), which came out nearly perfect—just a few unpopped kernels—and warmed up pre-cooked meals as well. They turned out well, and the meals were heated evenly. The appliance can also perform other microwave functions, such as weight defrost and time defrost.
You can also lock the microwave so children can’t operate it.
One thing to keep in mind is that you have to use the accessories appropriately to get the desired results. For example, there’s a baking tray and an air fryer basket (which can’t be used with the microwave function). Neither the lower wire nor the grill rack can be used for the microwave function. However, the trays and racks need to be placed on the glass turntable for non-microwave functions.
The recipe book provides instructions on when and how to use the accessories (e.g., the air fryer basket is placed on the lower rack when baking cookies and the air fry tray is placed on the higher rack when making chicken-based recipes).
On one hand, it can be rather tedious to remember the presets and proper use of accessories. But on the other hand, having a microwave that can also serve as a countertop oven is quite convenient.
The noise level is 50 dB, which is comparable to moderate rainfall.
Cleaning the appliance is pretty easy. Hot, soapy water can be used to clean the front of the microwave, the cooking compartment, the turntable and roller ring, and the trays and racks.
Toshiba ML2-TC10SAIT: user reviews
The microwave has a 4.2 rating based on 106 reviews on Walmart's website. Among the ratings, 68 of the 106 buyers gave it 5 stars, and 16 gave it 4 stars. Positive reviews cited the versatility of the appliance and how quiet it was. Negative comments include how to cook something that is not one of the presets and how the user guide could be more instructive.
The Toshiba Countertop Microwave has a 4.0 rating with 986 reviews on the Amazon website. Among the ratings, 60% of customers gave the appliance five stars, and 15% gave it four stars. In reviews, buyers like the size of the microwave and its quietness. Other reviewers liked the appliance's functionality. However, some complained that it was difficult to understand the presets.
Would I buy the Toshiba ML2-TC10SAIT?
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Heating Efficiency | multifunctional capabilities; also air fries, broils, and bakes; sensor cook feature; popcorn function delivers nearly perfect results | 9/10 |
| Time Consistency | evenly heats pre-cooked meals; sensor cook feature; some trial and error may be needed | 8/10 |
| Control Panel and Functionality | intuitive, with easy-to-read buttons and a dial for selections; ; range of functions, including Power, Broil/Bake, Combi, and Sensor Cook; remembering the correct trays and racks for each function can be tedious | 8/10 |
| Magnetron Functionality | reliable performance for standard microwave functions | 8/10 |
| Size and Space | compact yet spacious enough for most tasks; accommodates standard dishes and trays | 7/10 |
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
How does the Toshiba ML2-TC10SAIT compare?
An alternative to the Toshiba Countertop Microwave is the Shark SMC1169KS Smart Countertop Microwave, which has Alexa connectivity, six auto cook functions, and three auto defrost functions. It’s 1.1 cubic feet and retails for $149 (at the time of publication). However, it does not include the air fry, bake, and broil functions.
The Samsung 1.2 cubic feet Countertop Microwave with Power Convection has convection cooking and power grill features. However, it costs $599.
How I tested the Toshiba ML2-TC10SAIT
I tested the Toshiba Countertop Microwave for several weeks, off and on. I prepared various foods and evaluated build quality, performance, taste, ease of use, and cleaning.
Read more about how we test.
- First reviewed: September 2024
